Ex-Skye Bank Chairman Tunde Ayeni Denies Paternity of Ex-Mistress’ Child

 

Former Chairman of the defunct Skye Bank, Tunde Ayeni, has petitioned a Federal Capital Territory Customary Court in Dawaki, Abuja, seeking a declaration that he is not the father of Adaobi Alagwu’s daughter.

Ayeni and Alagwu have been involved in a paternity dispute since 2022. While Alagwu persists that Ayeni is the biological father, he has consistently denied any parental ties to the child.

During a court session on Monday, Ayeni, represented by his lawyer, Silas Onu, maintained that he was never married to Alagwu and urged the court to formally declare their alleged relationship nonexistent.

"I want a declaration that she was never my wife. We were never married, and I am not the biological father of her daughter," Ayeni stated.

Recounting details of their past relationship, Ayeni admitted that he initially made financial commitments before and after the child's birth, including paying money to Alagwu’s father as dowry and allowing the child to bear his surname. However, he claimed the money was later refunded, reinforcing his stance that no marital relationship ever existed.

He further alleged that Alagwu knowingly misrepresented their relationship, causing embarrassment to his legal wife. "When reasonable discussions failed to stop her from parading herself as my wife and claiming to have a child for me, I had to resort to legal action," he said.

Ayeni also emphasized that the child did not bear any physical resemblance to him or his family, citing specific features such as being flat-footed. "I have three children with my wife, and none of them are flat-footed," he added.

When questioned by Alagwu’s lawyer, T.G. Okechukwu, about taking another DNA test, Ayeni refused, insisting that other men who had relationships with Alagwu should also undergo the test. "One of them has even accused me of stealing his child," he claimed.

In response, Alagwu, in her counterclaim, denied Ayeni’s allegations and asserted that a customary marriage was conducted in 2022. She argued that Ayeni named the child and was officially listed as the father on her U.S. birth certificate and California’s birth register.

She also disclosed that a DNA test, arranged by Ayeni at a reputable London-based facility, confirmed his paternity with a 99.9999997% probability.

Despite this, she alleged that Ayeni and his wife launched a campaign to discredit her and the child on social media after receiving the test results.

The court has scheduled March 4 for Alagwu’s defense and the hearing of her counterclaim.